The Ludendorff Offensive

What was the Ludendorff Offensive?

The Ludendorff Offensive, also known as the 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht, was a series of German attacks along the Western Front.

Why was the Ludendorff Offensive launched?

The offensive was launched by Germany for a number of reasons:

• ❖ The USA was sending 50,000 troops each month to the Western Front, along with vast amounts of weapons and equipment.
• ❖ The withdrawal of Russia freed up hundreds of thousands of troops from the Eastern Front.
• ❖ By 1918 the British naval blockade meant Germany was running out of food and war materials.

Who planned the Ludendorff Offensive?

Erich Ludendorff, a German general, planned the campaign.

When did the Ludendorff Offensive happen?

The offensive was launched on 21st March 1918 and ended in July 1918.

What happened during the Ludendorff Offensive?

The Ludendorff Offensive was a series of key events:

• ❖ On 21st March, 600 German guns began a five-hour bombardment of enemy trenches. This was followed by the release of mustard gas.
• ❖ Specially trained and lightly armed stormtroopers then advanced towards the enemy trenches, moving quickly and bypassing strong defences.
• ❖ As the British retreated, tens of thousands were captured and the Germans continued to advance.
• ❖ 100,000 German infantry soldiers then followed and this strategy allowing the Germans to capture 65km of French territory by July.
• ❖ At the Second Battle of the Marne, 20,000 US troops arrived to reinforce the Allies. This halted the German attack.

Why did the Ludendorff Offensive fail?

The offensive failed for a number of reasons:

• ❖ Ludendorff sent too many men into France. He did not have any reserves or replacement troops.
• ❖ The offensive moved too quickly. The supply chain couldn't keep up and soldiers ran out of food and ammunition.
• ❖ The attack created a salient in the German line, which could be attacked from three sides. This meant the Germans were vulnerable to counter-attacks which could break their line.
• ❖ Hungry German soldiers stopped to loot food and wine from captured villages and Allied supply dumps, slowing the advance.